Gas mileage on my 2001 Nomad FI

ti272 · 06-28-2011, 04:03 PM

Hello folks, I just bought a used 2001 VN1500L2 Nomad FI. I filled it up with 3.3 gallons of gas the first time the gas light came on. The next time I decided to run out the gas to see how far I would go. I went 130 miles before the engine quit. When I coasted into a gas station I could still see fuel in my tank. I then filled it up to the bottom of the filler and it only took 3.8 gallons. I was a bit confused since I believe this model was supposed to have a 5.0 gallon tank. I am working on this last tank of gas and the gas light is back on at only 90 miles. Do I still have a gallon of gas or so floating around the bottom of the tank and, if so, why did the bike quit running? Any thoughts or insight would be greatly appreciated.

cactusjack · 06-28-2011, 04:12 PM

There will always be some gas left in the tank because that's what cools the fuel pump. Make sure you are filling your tank on the sidestand, and fill to a consistent level each time. I used to fill mine to just above the filler plate. Below the filler plate, I found was too inconsistent.

Nomads are not known for exceptional mileage. 32-37mpg is probably common. and a well tuned one may get 40-42 fairly consistently. It also depends on how it's ridden. Under 60-65 mph, you will get much better mileage than at 65+. Stop and go city driving also eats the gas at a pretty fast rate, and it also depends on your throttle hand.

ti272 · 06-28-2011, 04:46 PM

If I fill it on the sidestand wont that put less gas in the tank?

blowndodge · 06-28-2011, 04:54 PM

If your cap in on the brake peddle side of the tank you'll get more in that way.

**ringadingh** · 06-28-2011, 04:56 PM

I thought that year has a 4.2 gallon tank, either way that mileage seems poor regardless.
I was usually getting anbour 140-150 miles before the light came on.
It probably wouldn't hurt to clean the throttle body, and run a tank of Seafoam through the bike. That will usually improve the mileage.

**MAS Tequila** · 06-28-2011, 05:01 PM

Carb bikes have the 4.2 tanks 1500 FI's have a 5.0 gallon tank.

MT

**ringadingh** · 06-28-2011, 05:10 PM

Your right, thats the same tank I had. I was still able to get close to 200 miles on most tanks, except in the cold weather.

dakota7557 · 06-29-2011, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAS Tequila

Carb bikes have the 4.2 tanks 1500 FI's have a 5.0 gallon tank.

MT

My 2000 FI 1500 has a 4.2 tank capacity, wish it was bigger.

vidornomad · 06-29-2011, 08:48 AM

On my 01, I am getting around 130-140 miles when light comes on, I would go a little further but I do not like to run it after the light comes on. Like they said a little seafoam and being easy on the throttle does help.

danimal2 · 06-29-2011, 09:57 AM

All the above and this may be pointing out the obvious, but.......

My 1999 Nomad has a reserve position on the petcock. When the bike runs out of gas, there's still 1.06 US gallons in the tank. You have to switch it over to the reserve position to empty the tank.

blowndodge · 06-29-2011, 09:58 AM

Fuel Injected bikes don't have petcocks.... Carb bikes do...

danimal2 · 06-29-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

Fuel Injected bikes don't have petcocks.... Carb bikes do...

Good. I'm not pointing out the obvious then.

blowndodge · 06-29-2011, 10:03 AM

Naw,,, your good!

danimal2 · 06-29-2011, 10:06 AM

Not to get off topic here, but I wonder why they figure you don't need/want a reserve because the thing is fuel injected. I think I'd feel more comfortable with a gallon on reserve whether it's injected, carb'd or whatever. Particularly because injection is usually harder to get started when they're run completely out of fuel.

blowndodge · 06-29-2011, 10:09 AM

Problem is, is that our Fuel Pumps (you don't have one in your tank) have to be cooled and "lubed" buy the fuel. Pressurized injection systems do NOT like to be run dry. No fuel injection bike has a petcock with a reserve..

Running a tank dry with carbs is no big deal..

06-28-2011, 04:03 PM	#1
ti272 Jr. Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2	Gas mileage on my 2001 Nomad FI Hello folks, I just bought a used 2001 VN1500L2 Nomad FI. I filled it up with 3.3 gallons of gas the first time the gas light came on. The next time I decided to run out the gas to see how far I would go. I went 130 miles before the engine quit. When I coasted into a gas station I could still see fuel in my tank. I then filled it up to the bottom of the filler and it only took 3.8 gallons. I was a bit confused since I believe this model was supposed to have a 5.0 gallon tank. I am working on this last tank of gas and the gas light is back on at only 90 miles. Do I still have a gallon of gas or so floating around the bottom of the tank and, if so, why did the bike quit running? Any thoughts or insight would be greatly appreciated. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-28-2011, 04:12 PM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Gas mileage on my 2001 Nomad FI There will always be some gas left in the tank because that's what cools the fuel pump. Make sure you are filling your tank on the sidestand, and fill to a consistent level each time. I used to fill mine to just above the filler plate. Below the filler plate, I found was too inconsistent. Nomads are not known for exceptional mileage. 32-37mpg is probably common. and a well tuned one may get 40-42 fairly consistently. It also depends on how it's ridden. Under 60-65 mph, you will get much better mileage than at 65+. Stop and go city driving also eats the gas at a pretty fast rate, and it also depends on your throttle hand. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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06-28-2011, 04:46 PM	#3
ti272 Jr. Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2	Gas mileage on my 2001 Nomad FI If I fill it on the sidestand wont that put less gas in the tank?
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06-28-2011, 04:54 PM	#4
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Gas mileage on my 2001 Nomad FI If your cap in on the brake peddle side of the tank you'll get more in that way. __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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06-28-2011, 04:56 PM	#5
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Gas mileage on my 2001 Nomad FI I thought that year has a 4.2 gallon tank, either way that mileage seems poor regardless. I was usually getting anbour 140-150 miles before the light came on. It probably wouldn't hurt to clean the throttle body, and run a tank of Seafoam through the bike. That will usually improve the mileage. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

06-28-2011, 05:01 PM	#6
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	Gas mileage on my 2001 Nomad FI Carb bikes have the 4.2 tanks 1500 FI's have a 5.0 gallon tank. MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
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06-28-2011, 05:10 PM	#7
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Gas mileage on my 2001 Nomad FI Your right, thats the same tank I had. I was still able to get close to 200 miles on most tanks, except in the cold weather. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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06-29-2011, 08:48 AM	#9
vidornomad Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vidor, Texas Posts: 346	Gas mileage on my 2001 Nomad FI On my 01, I am getting around 130-140 miles when light comes on, I would go a little further but I do not like to run it after the light comes on. Like they said a little seafoam and being easy on the throttle does help.
	0

06-29-2011, 09:57 AM	#10
danimal2 Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 987	Gas mileage on my 2001 Nomad FI All the above and this may be pointing out the obvious, but....... My 1999 Nomad has a reserve position on the petcock. When the bike runs out of gas, there's still 1.06 US gallons in the tank. You have to switch it over to the reserve position to empty the tank. __________________ VBA member #01682 Green 1999 Nomad 1500 carb'd 43,000 miles JOG'd at 20,000, JOG failed at 40,000 SOG'd at 40,000 Darksider
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06-29-2011, 09:58 AM	#11
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Gas mileage on my 2001 Nomad FI Fuel Injected bikes don't have petcocks.... Carb bikes do... __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
	0

06-29-2011, 10:03 AM	#13
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Gas mileage on my 2001 Nomad FI Naw,,, your good! __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
	0

06-29-2011, 10:06 AM	#14
danimal2 Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 987	Gas mileage on my 2001 Nomad FI Not to get off topic here, but I wonder why they figure you don't need/want a reserve because the thing is fuel injected. I think I'd feel more comfortable with a gallon on reserve whether it's injected, carb'd or whatever. Particularly because injection is usually harder to get started when they're run completely out of fuel. __________________ VBA member #01682 Green 1999 Nomad 1500 carb'd 43,000 miles JOG'd at 20,000, JOG failed at 40,000 SOG'd at 40,000 Darksider
	0

06-29-2011, 10:09 AM	#15
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Gas mileage on my 2001 Nomad FI Problem is, is that our Fuel Pumps (you don't have one in your tank) have to be cooled and "lubed" buy the fuel. Pressurized injection systems do NOT like to be run dry. No fuel injection bike has a petcock with a reserve.. Running a tank dry with carbs is no big deal.. __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
	0

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